NC History Top 40:


1. NC Geography- it is important to know this because so to better understand how different people and events relate and affect each other.
2. Natural Resources- Learning this often sheds light on why certain groups of people do certain things or why certain regions were more highly sought after.
3. Early Native Americans- As the first people in the state of North Carolina they had an important impact on the environment and culture here.
4. Pirates- This is a fun and interesting part of NC history that is fun to learn about. ((1)Edward “Blackbeard” Teach – he was one of the most influential pirates of the time)
5. Native American- Settler Conflict- This change the way Native Americans lived and how the settlers lived as well, therefore it is a vital step in the states cultural development.
6. Early Settlement (Roanoke Settlement) - Fun and interesting this was an important step toward Europeans settling the “New World.”
7. The town of Bath- This was the first place in North Carolina to create a charter and official become a town.
8. Colonialism, Proprietary Colony – the difference in the types of colonies as well as learning about the colonies themselves and their similarities and differences is important to understanding how those factors effected their interaction.((2) King Charles II – the way he chose to rule lead the people of America to make certain choices, in the end creating a New country)
9. NC Social system of colonial times – as in the last item, this gives a better understanding of how people interacted with each other and the culture it developed.
10. Slavery- this is an important defining factor in American history, it is important to learn about the interactions of all people in the and how it evolves over there years.
11. The 1st and 2nd Continental Congress meets- this signifies the beginning of a new country, our country.
12. Provincial Convention of North Carolina- these were defining moments in our states development. ((3) NC Delegates: Joseph Hawes, William Hooper, and John Penn – it is important to note who was chosen to represent our state and why)
13. The Intolerable Acts- these Acts push America toward revolution giving people something to fight for.
14. Edenton Tea Party- ((4) Edenton women who participated) this was a great act of defiance in NC toward the English government on NC
15. Battle of Moors Creek Bridge- this is a major battle that took place here in NC
16. The Declaration of Independence- Defined our people
17. Articles of Confederation- defined our government
18. The Mecklenburg Resolves and the Halifax Resolves- defined our state government
19. NC Constitution- Further defined our government and began a new country
20. 12th state- NC became the 12th state in the union
21. surrender at Yorktown, Treaty of Paris- America won the freedom of Great Britain allowing the citizens to begin building our country ((5) General Cornwallis- the British General who lead the British army during the revoltion) .
22. Ratification of the US Constitution- North Carolina was the first state to ratify the constitution, important to show the different views on a federal government and why our state chose the way it did.
23. North Carolina social structure post revolution- How North Carolinians reacted to becoming a part of the United States
24. North Carolina Economics post revolution- Now that governing ties with Great Britain were broken how did North Carolina contribute to the new nations successes.
25. Slavery post revolution- Slavery was a huge part of the Economy especially in the South, but now that the whole country had just fought a war to free themselves from oppression how did that sentiment effect feeling toward slavery.
26. “Rip Van Winkle” State- North Carolina to this day is notoriously slow to develop, what effect did it have both past and present
27. ((6)Andrew Jackson- the bully seventh president of the US, also a North Carolina Native. So many things… he was a very influential historical figure) and the “Trail of Tears”- push on by President Jackson, the Five Great Indian Nations were force from their ancestral lands to the new Oklahoma territory.
28. ((7) James Polk) becomes President- North Carolina native
29. Leaving the Union- important to know why North Carolina chose to secede from the union.
30. The Civil War- The biggest loss of life on American soil, what reasons were there and what part did North Carolina play
31. The battle of Bentonville- large Battle fought in NC
32. ((8)Andrew Johnson) becomes president- NC native
33. Wright Brothers- technological advance that changed the world
34. WW I, Ft. Bragg- became a great economical resource during the war.
35. 19th amendment passed- women are allowed to vote ((9) Lillian Exum Clement first women elected to the NC house of reps.)
36. Tobacco industry- tobacco development huge economic boom for North Carolina
37. The great Depression- hard all around the country, how did it effect NC
38. WW II- What role did NC play and how was the state effected
39. Research Triangle Park- Big plus in the economy for North Carolina
40. Civil Rights; Greensborough sit-ins- Big event during the Civil Rights Movement ((10-13) David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair Jr. (Jibreel Khazan), and Joe McNeill the four who “sat in” important to recognize who they were)